The Supreme Court (SC), in Rajesh Chaddha v State of Uttar Pradesh [2025 INSC 671] warns against the cruel misuse of Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and such other provisions of law against husband and in-laws by the wife and her relatives, without concrete evidence.
In this judgement, the SC relies on its earlier judgment in Dara Lakshmi Narayana & Others v State of Telangana & Another [2024 INSC 953].
The SC adds that there has been a tendency of roping such sections, without mentioning any specific dates, time, or incident, and arraying aged parents, distant relatives, married sisters living separately, as accused. This vitiates the very objective of a protective legislation.
References
- Rajesh Chaddha v State of Uttar Pradesh [2025 INSC 671]
- Dara Lakshmi Narayana & Others v State of Telangana & Another [2024 INSC 953]
